Seminar 12: Adult Books for Teens

Both required readings are available online via Western Libraries: simply log on to the proxy server via Western Libraries' main page, and then paste the link into the URL bar.

Required Reading:

Carter, Betty. (1997). Adult books for young adults. English Journal, 86(3), pp. 63 – 67. Available via JSTOR. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/i233803

Carter, Betty. (2003). Alex: The Why and the How. Booklist 99.15; pp. 1389. Available via ProQuest. Stable URL:
http://proquest.umi.com.proxy1.lib.uwo.ca:2048/pqdweb?did=337226071& sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=11263&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Suggested Reading:

Abrahamson, Richard F. (1998). Back to the Future with Adult Books for Teen Readers. Journal for Youth Services in Libraries, 11.4, pp. 378 – 387. Available at the GRC: IMS periodical Z 718.1.J68 1998.

Abrahamson surveys the reading habits of teens, with the conclusion that not astonishingly, many teen readers enjoy adult books. He uses insight from his high school English teaching career to discuss the findings in the literature.

Anderson, Sheila B. Adult Fiction. Serving Older Teens. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited; pp. 175 - 177. IMS stack Z718.5.S48 2004.

A very brief overview of which adult fiction may particularly appeal to older teens, accompanied by a list of resources for the teen librarian.

Awards for Adult Books for Teens:

American Library Association. Best Books for Young Adults (BBYA).

The BBYA awards include adult and young adult titles. This website includes lists of past winners, current nominees, and an overview of the awards process.

American Library Association. YALSA’s Alex Awards.

The ALA’s Alex Awards website includes lists of the past winners, current nominees, and an overview of the awards policies and procedures.

Book lists:

Bilz, Rachelle Lasky. (2007) Adult Books for Older Teens: Science Fiction. Teacher-Librarian, 35.2; pp. 49. Available online via Western Libraries.

One example of a monthly (2006 – present) feature in Teacher-Librarian, in which Rachelle Lasky Bilz recommends 4 or 5 adult titles, accompanied by a short description, that may appeal to teens. These lists are arranged thematically (e.g. science fiction, guns, circus), with additional “Must Read Author” lists (e.g. Jodi Picoult, Alice Hoffman) sporadically.

Booklist. (2008). Editor’s Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults.

Following from the year’s reviews, Booklist editor compiles a list of adult books that teens will enjoy.

Keane, N. J. (2006). Adult Fiction Titles for Young Adults; Adult Nonfiction Titles for Young Adults. The big book of teen reading lists: 100 great, ready-to- use book lists for educators, librarians, parents, and teens. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited; pp. 9 – 16. IMS stack Z718.5.S48 2004.

Several pages of adult titles that may be of interest to teens, presented in a “hand-out” format for easy distribution in libraries or schools. Each title is accompanied by a one or two sentence plot summary.

Mackey, Margaret. (2006). Adult Canadian Books for Strong Teenage Readers. School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta. Available online.

A compilation of yearly booklists from Resource Links, divided thematically. Very thorough; 105 pages.

Pearl, N. (2007). Moving Up. Book crush: For kids and teens : Recommended reading for every mood, moment, and interest. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books; pp. 229 – 230. IMS stack Z1037.P35 2007.

A short list of suggested adult titles that appeal to teens. This list is a good starting point for a librarian who may be unfamiliar with what types of adult materials teens may favour.

School Library Journal. Adult Books for High School Students

A monthly feature in SLJ, in which several adult titles are recommended for teens, complete with an extensive description of each title.